Hacked Off dubs Leveson report ‘reasonable and proportionate’

The Hacked Off campaign group, which represented victims of phone hacking and other forms of press intrusion, has welcomed the recommendations of the long-awaited Leveson report.

Members of the Hacked Off campaign group give their official response to the Leveson report (Picture: Getty)

Lord Justice Leveson has called for a new self-appointed, independent media regulator with statutory underpinning; something David Cameron has already distanced the government from in the Commons.

But Hacked Off described the proposals as ‘reasonable and proportionate’ after Lord Justice Leveson said action was needed after sections of the press ‘wreaked havoc’ with people’s lives.

‘The judge had rightly condemned this outrageous conduct of the press in the recent years,’ Hacked Off said in a statement read out by former Crimewatch presenter and police officer Jacqui Hames, who was a victim of phone hacking.

‘The crucial point is the importance he places on the complete independence of regulation from politicians and from the editors and proprietors, who run the wholly discredited [Press Complaints Commission].’

Ms Hames continued: ‘He has proposed a system of voluntary and independent self-regulation. The proposals made by the industry do not come close to this ideal.

‘What is needed is a regulator which can properly and effectively protect the victims of press misconduct.’

She added that the media must act quickly to implement Lord Justice Leveson’s proposals.

‘The press must be given a deadline, the inquiry is over, now is the time for action,’ Ms Hames said.

Victims of phone hacking and other forms of press intrusion are due to hold a press conference on the report’s findings later today.